SURREY, B.C. - On Sunday night Sephon Sek was on top of the world after beating out 680 other poker players for a grand prize of $364,364.
But his lucky streak quickly ended Monday when he was arrested by the RCMP in connection to the murders of six people in a Surrey condo, a crime believed to have set off a bloody gang war in Metro Vancouver.
The RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced the 30-year-old man faces charges of manslaughter and break and enter with intent in connection to the October 2007 murders.
"Nearly eight months after the initial arrests and charges in connection to the 'Surrey Six' homicides, another suspect has been arrested and charged in connection to that fateful day," RCMP said in a statement announcing the charges.
Sek faces less serious allegations than the other five charged previously.
James Bacon and Quang Vinh Thang Le each face one count of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, while Matthew James Johnston and Cody Rae Haevischer each face six counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Dennis Richard Karbovanec, 27, pleaded guilty in April to three counts of second-degree murder and one of conspiracy in the case, and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years.
On Oct. 19, 2007, police found the bodies of Cory Lal, Michael Lal, Edward Narong, Ryan Bartolomeo, Ed Schellenberg and Christopher Mohan in the condo in the Vanouver suburb of Surrey.
Police said Schellenberg, 55, had been servicing the fireplace units in the highrise complex the day of the murders. Chris Mohan, 22, lived across the hall from the victim's residence and was leaving for a basketball game when he was dragged into the condo and killed because he was a potential witness. All six were shot to death.
Police have said the other four victims had ties to organized crime and were believed to be connected of the United Nations gang.
Police aren't saying what role Sek may have played in the murders.
"Due to the nature of this investigation especially -- very high-profile, very sensitive -- we're refraining from talking about specific roles until it's been brought out in trial," said Cpl. Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
Carr said police are still investigating and other charges may be laid against those now charged or more people.
"It's just not over," Carr added.
Police have said James Bacon is one of the leaders of the rival Red Scorpion gang. His brothers Jonathan and Jarrod have also been identified in police public warnings as members of the gang.
Police have said the Surrey slayings set off a spate of gang violence that erupted in January of this year in a gang war that riddled the streets with bullets, and didn't end until dozens of people had been murdered or injured.
In May, Mounties arrested several top-ranking members of the UN gang and charged them with conspiracy to murder the three Bacon brothers, who managed to survive despite several attempts on their lives.
A court record check shows Sek also faces numerous separate weapons charges in various B.C. courts including possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a restricted fire arm.
Although the charges against the six accused have not been proven in court, Eileen and Sunil Mohan, Chris Mohan's parents, have launched a civil lawsuit against those accused of their son's murder.
The lawsuit, filed last month, alleges the killers originally went to the apartment to kill Cory Lal, but also had orders to kill any witnesses.
Sek came out on top in the B.C. Poker Championship after an 11-day tournament and his picture was taken as a giant cheque was presented to him from the Great Canadian Casino Corp.
But Howard Blank with the River Rock Casino Resort said Sek won't be getting the money right away.
"Instead of him coming back to pick up the funds, the RCMP have asked us to withhold the funds."
Sek is scheduled to make a court appearance again Nov. 30.
